Preeclampsia
(PATHO/ASSESSMENTS
/INTERVENTIONS)
questions and answers
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Nursing.com)
Gestational hypertension is having high blood pressure during the
second half of pregnancy in women who have never had high blood
pressure before. This is diagnosed when blood pressure exceeds
140/90. Gestational hypertension normally resolves within about 6
weeks after delivery.
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure during pregnancy that damages
other organs, usually the kidneys and liver. Preeclampsia can be a
serious complication and is often characterized by swelling of the
face and hands and protein in the urine.
Eclampsia results when preeclampsia is left undiagnosed or treated
and can be fatal. Eclampsia is diagnosed when patients with
preeclampsia begin having seizures. These seizures can occur even
if the patient does not have a history of them.
Etiology
Gestational hypertension – The cause is generally unknown, but is
more common in patients who have kidney disease or diabetes prior
to pregnancy, or those who have had gestational hypertension in
previous pregnancies. Other risk factors include being pregnant
with twins (or triplets), maternal age younger than 20 years old or
older than 40 years old and being African American.
Preeclampsia – The blood vessels within the placenta do not develop
properly and are narrower than normal. This extra pressure within
the blood vessels puts stress on the maternal liver and kidneys.
Certain genetic factors, immune system response and damage to
the blood vessels may contribute to this abnormal development.
, This complication can result in growth restriction of the fetus,
placental abruption or even preterm birth.
Eclampsia – Eclampsia is basically severe preeclampsia that results
in seizures. When preeclampsia becomes severe and is not treated,
it can result in seizures and could be fatal to mother and fetus. This
usually results in having to terminate the pregnancy and deliver the
fetus, regardless of gestational age.
Desired Outcome
Patient will have controlled blood pressure at or below 140/90;
patient will have optimal functioning of organ systems without
chronic damage; patient will carry pregnancy to term
Subjective and Objective data
Subjective Data:
Headache
Vision changes
Nausea
Stomach pain (upper right side of abdomen)
Objective Data:
BP over 140/90
Swelling of face, hands, feet
Sudden weight gain
Vomiting
Decreased urine output
Proteinuria
Preeclampsia Interventions (From Picmonic)
The nursing management of preeclampsia focuses on preventive
care including early prenatal care and identifying patients who are
at risk. Early detection of preeclampsia allows for interventions (bed
rest, antihypertensives, magnesium sulfate) to slow the progression
of the disease, allowing the pregnancy to continue to have a healthy
newborn as close to term as possible.
1. Side lying position & Bedrest-
(PATHO/ASSESSMENTS
/INTERVENTIONS)
questions and answers
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Nursing.com)
Gestational hypertension is having high blood pressure during the
second half of pregnancy in women who have never had high blood
pressure before. This is diagnosed when blood pressure exceeds
140/90. Gestational hypertension normally resolves within about 6
weeks after delivery.
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure during pregnancy that damages
other organs, usually the kidneys and liver. Preeclampsia can be a
serious complication and is often characterized by swelling of the
face and hands and protein in the urine.
Eclampsia results when preeclampsia is left undiagnosed or treated
and can be fatal. Eclampsia is diagnosed when patients with
preeclampsia begin having seizures. These seizures can occur even
if the patient does not have a history of them.
Etiology
Gestational hypertension – The cause is generally unknown, but is
more common in patients who have kidney disease or diabetes prior
to pregnancy, or those who have had gestational hypertension in
previous pregnancies. Other risk factors include being pregnant
with twins (or triplets), maternal age younger than 20 years old or
older than 40 years old and being African American.
Preeclampsia – The blood vessels within the placenta do not develop
properly and are narrower than normal. This extra pressure within
the blood vessels puts stress on the maternal liver and kidneys.
Certain genetic factors, immune system response and damage to
the blood vessels may contribute to this abnormal development.
, This complication can result in growth restriction of the fetus,
placental abruption or even preterm birth.
Eclampsia – Eclampsia is basically severe preeclampsia that results
in seizures. When preeclampsia becomes severe and is not treated,
it can result in seizures and could be fatal to mother and fetus. This
usually results in having to terminate the pregnancy and deliver the
fetus, regardless of gestational age.
Desired Outcome
Patient will have controlled blood pressure at or below 140/90;
patient will have optimal functioning of organ systems without
chronic damage; patient will carry pregnancy to term
Subjective and Objective data
Subjective Data:
Headache
Vision changes
Nausea
Stomach pain (upper right side of abdomen)
Objective Data:
BP over 140/90
Swelling of face, hands, feet
Sudden weight gain
Vomiting
Decreased urine output
Proteinuria
Preeclampsia Interventions (From Picmonic)
The nursing management of preeclampsia focuses on preventive
care including early prenatal care and identifying patients who are
at risk. Early detection of preeclampsia allows for interventions (bed
rest, antihypertensives, magnesium sulfate) to slow the progression
of the disease, allowing the pregnancy to continue to have a healthy
newborn as close to term as possible.
1. Side lying position & Bedrest-
